Loving in Color

JULY FLASH FICTION – BASED ON A PIC

Hey! Welcome to our picture flash fiction for July. I totally missed last month due to my birthday and working so I’m back stronger than ever this month. Or, at least, I hope I am. Anyway, here’s the pic and the story I wrote to go along with it. Hope you enjoy.

Yep, she had obviously overdressed for the destination. The note Cameron sent had given her directions to their date spot. The ass hadn’t mentioned there would be walking. Walking, hell. Hiking. There was going to be hiking involved. She laid her head on the steering wheel and thought briefly about leaving. She didn’t need this shit, not after the totally crap day she’d had.

Brushing her hand over the soft material of her dress, she stared down at her high-heels and sighed. Anna opened the car door and slipped the shoes off. If she stepped on a bee or broken glass, she was done. Done with everything. Climbing out, she locked the door behind her and started along the path holding her pretty shoes.

The dirt path was hard and cool beneath her bare feet as tall grass swayed around her. Birds sang as butterflies flitted about and, against her will, Anna begin to relax. The breeze was fresh and smelled sweet as the trees moved in languid patterns. Pausing, she closed her eyes and turned her face up to the sky. The sun warmed her skin and stretched out her arms. Okay, maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

Her steps were lighter as she made her way down the path. She brushed her hand over the tall stalks of grass and the feathery texture tickled her palm. Cresting a small hill, she spied a small canopy under a wide tree. Could that really be the date spot? She checked the note and Cam’s bold scrawl met her eyes telling her she couldn’t miss the spot. Smiling, she moved down the hill. Her boyfriend of two years wasn’t known for romantic gestures.

He was calm and steady. When they’d first started dating, some people she knew had seemed confused by their paring. Sure, he was handsome, but he was boring, dull, and other words that she’d gotten tired of hearing. So, she’d done the smart thing, and dumped those supposed friends. Of course, he wasn’t like her past boyfriends. They had been BOYS, not a man. Anna had come to that realization during their first date. She loved how he’d treated her, spoke to her, listened to her.

“Cameron,” she called, as she approached.

He stepped out into the open and smiled. She slowed just so she could look at him. Blond hair lifting in the soft breeze, clear blue eyes, and a killer smile. Altogether, his features made a handsome package, but it was more than that. He was funny, smart, steady, and totally dependable. He’s always kept his promises and never made a promise he knew he couldn’t keep.

“You look beautiful,” he said, leaning down to kiss her.

Leading her into the tent, she found a thick blanket spread on the ground. He helped her sit and poured her a glass of wine. Sitting beside her, he picked up his glass, and touched it to her own.

“Are you surprised?” he asked.

“Yes, this is wonderful. Okay, I have to admit I wasn’t happy when I first got here and realized I had to hike.”

He laughed. “Did you curse me?”

“A little,” she said, leaning over to kiss his cheek. “Now, I’m here, I love it.”

He took her lips in a deep kiss and she sighed into his mouth. She loved kissing Cameron. His kisses were slow and thorough, which always made her toes curl. He slid a hand under her hair and cupped her neck as he deepened the kiss.

Pulling back, he watched her with serious eyes. Anna traced his lips with a finger and he shivered. Another thing they had was chemistry, hot combustible chemistry. No matter what they did, she was always satisfied at the end. He made sure of it. Anna felt a low pull in her belly and knew she was wet just thinking about the things they did together.

He put his glass down. “I was going to wait, but I can’t.”

Her brow wrinkled. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he smiled. “In fact, everything is right. I love you.”

“I love you too.” She kissed him again.

“Marry me?”

She blinked, not sure she’d heard him right. “What?”

“Marry me? I want us to belong to one another. Live together. Travel together. Get a cat together. I love you Anna. I know I might not be the person you imagined being with for the rest of your life—”

Tears gathered in her eyes as she placed a finger over his lips, cutting him off. “You’re right, you’re not the person I imagined, because there was no way I could see someone so amazing. I love you so much. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Cameron pulled her close and kissed her. Anna swore she would never forget this incredibly perfect day.